You can become a private pilot for airplanes if you’re 17 and know English. In addition, for airplane single engine you have to:

Have at least 40 hours of total flight time

Receive and log the required ground and flght training including:

minimum 20 hours of flight instruction (DUAL)

3 hours of DUAL in the last 60 days on exam maneuvers

3 hours of DUAL instrument training

3 hours of DUAL at night with 10 takeoffs and landings

over 100NM NIGHT DUAL CROSS-COUNTRY

Have 10 hours of SOLO experience including:

3 takeoffs and full-stop landings at a towered airport

5 hours of SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY

over 150NM cross-country with a leg over 50NM

Hold at least a 3rd Class Medical Certificate

Pass the FAA knowledge test with a minimum score of 70

Receive endorsements from a CFI for both the knowledge and practical tests

Privileges

As a private pilot you may:

Act as the Pilot-In-Command of flights with passengers worldwide

Demonstrate airplanes in flight if you have more than 200 hours PIC

Tow gliders if you meet the respective PIC and training requirements

Instrument Rating

Eligibilty for instrument rating is as follows:

Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with an aircraft category and class rating that applies to the instrument rating sought.

Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.

Have received and logged ground training on the aeronautical knowledge areas of this section that apply to the instrument rating sought.

Have logged at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes for an instrument-airplane rating.

Have a total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of operation of this section including at least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for which the instrument rating is sought, and instrument training on cross-country flight procedures specific to airplanes, or helicopters or a powered-lift. (A maximum of 20 hours, or if the training was accomplished in accordance with Part 142, a maximum of 30 hours may be performed in an approved flight simulator or approved flight training device.)

Pass the knowledge test.

Pass the practical test.

Multi engine Pilot

To add a multi engine rating to a private, commercial, ATP, or CFI certificate, the FAA requires an instructor endorsement and a practical test. A Knowledge test (written) is not required. The practical test includes a detailed oral test.

Pilots may take their original private pilot or other practical tests in a multi-engine airplane, in which case they will be subject to additional experience requirements. A pilot certificate obtained in such a manner will not include single engine piloting privileges (ability to deal with a total power loss is not demonstrated during multi engine certification).

Commercial Pilot

Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.

Be at least 18 years of age.

Hold at least a current third-class FAA medical certificate. Later, if your flying requires a commercial pilot certificate, you must hold a second-class medical certificate.

Hold an instrument rating. A commercial pilot is presumed to have an instrument rating. If not, his/her commercial pilot certificate will be endorsed with a prohibition against carrying passengers for hire on day VFR flights beyond 50 NM or at night.

Pass a knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. The instrument rating knowledge test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions selected from the airplane-related questions in the FAA’s commercial pilot test bank.

Accumulate appropriate flight experience and instruction (see FAR 61.129). A total of 250 hours of flight time is required.

Successfully complete a practical (flight) test, which will be given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or designated pilot examiner; it will be conducted as specified in the FAA’s Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards.